Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Finishing the Siding & Other Details


Okay.  So, now that the siding is all installed, I have caulked all the panels (top, bottom, sides, etc.).  The eaves and soffits are all painted. We started painting the siding panels, but decided that the gray color was too cold looking, so we have started repainting it a beige color that looks much better.  Windows are all painted and ready to be installed.

We have tightened the cable to the large pine tree to stabilize the treehouse even further.  I am still considering a third cable. I am not sure if it should be to the pine tree or possibly to the oak tree that the treehouse is built upon.

I have finished building the faux chimney in the workshop. It is made out of wood, and it is covered with facing stones.  It looks real.  It is real heavy. I have to now figure out how to get it up onto the roof of the treehouse.  I am thinking of using a pulley hung from the pine tree immediately above the crow's nest to get it up to the crow's nest from the ground.  From the crow's nest I will move the pulley further over on the branch above the treehouse so that lifting the faux chimney from the crow's nest to the roof will be more easily accomplished.

I purchased a new fixed pane window that I want to mount on the side facing the crow's nest about six feet above the floor of the treehouse and at ground level of the crow's nest.


Sunday, March 18, 2018

Finishing the Cedar Shake Roof


Installed the cap shakes on the roof. I ended up making them out of the starter shakes that were left over from the first course at the bottom edges.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Installing the Cedar Shakes



Another day up in the tree.  The cedar shakes are now installed. I still have to put on a final cap row at the peak. I am going to use the left over cedar from the deck boards to fashion those.  I had soaked the shakes during the rain of the last few days with the hopes that the shakes would bend to conform to the gentle curve of the roof, but, while they did bend some, they didn't bend enough.  Perhaps over the months and years to come they will bend more. Only time will tell.

I have picked out the stain for the siding and the trim. Next job is to install the siding. I have to make sure that I caulk the seams between the siding panels and also at the bottom and top so that moisture does not infiltrate into the house.  I intend to use indoor flooring inside the house. I will put down a layer of plastic so that there is less chance of water infiltration.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Further Thoughts on the Treehouse

It is raining and I won't be up in the tree for a few more days.  I have purchased the cedar shakes for the roof. I have been advised to soak the shakes to allow them to bend before I try to install them since the roof has a curve to it.

We have been working on painting all the windows before installation. I have purchased stainless steel hinges for them.

I am building a faux chimney for the roof to be installed before I put on the cedar shakes. I am considering facing the chimney with stone.

I have purchased caulk for sealing the siding so that moisture cannot enter the house.  I want to put down another layer on the floor inside the house.  I have been considering some nice hickory laminate. It will be easier than plywood and look better.  Keeping out the moisture will certainly be better for this kind of flooring.

I intend to use the 2" poles as trim for the windows and on the corners of the building. I will rip the poles in half for the windows, and take out 1/4 of the pole for the corners.